The Assyrian Empire rose to power through effective military tactics that allowed it to expand and protect itself as it grew. When ruled strongly, the empire thrived and conquered much of the Middle East, but internal weaknesses and external enemies eventually led to its decline. By the 7th century BC, a combined attack by the Medes and Chaldeans defeated the Assyrians and destroyed their capital of Nineveh, ending the once mighty empire.

2. Introduction to Assyria A militaristic empire only succeeds when lead by the right authority. Assyria’s rise and decline accentuated that moral. When ruled by the right government, Assyria thrived, and during the time at which the authority weakened, the great empire fell. This reflects the value that if rulers are strong and able to make sound and rational decisions much can be accomplished and a civilization can, can advance and become a powerful empire. Assyrian military tactics were very effective in early Assyria. When building a foundation for an empire, the tactics provided a basis to expand at later times as well as protect themselves as they grew as a society. Assyria was able to use military advantages to conquer great expanses of land in order to control more of the Middle East. Although violence was a positive aspect from their culture, they accomplished many key tasks in creating a copious civilization. Violence has become a part of western culture partly due to the Assyrians. This has an affect on the current way of life as one can see the rise of a powerful, violent, and vicious empire, and how their own military conquests led to its downfall. This illustrates to people today the importance of the Assyrian empire and their many accomplishments.

3. 5000 B.C.- 2500 B.C. 2500- 1480 B.C. 1480- 934 B.C. Emerging Assyria Expansion Through Military Tactics Assyrian military tactics were effective in building a foundation for an empire. It gave the Assyrians a basis to expand their empire in later times. As well as protect themselves while they were growing as a society. In this beginning period, though the tactics were under developed, the slow formation of a militaristic empire can be seen in their societies.

6. 5000 B.C.- 2500 B.C. 2500- 1480 B.C. 1480- 934 B.C. Emerging Assyria Expansion Through Military Tactics Assyrian military tactics were effective in building a foundation for an empire. In this time period strong military tactics when supported by a strong leader helped Assyria expand and develop in ways that might have not been possible otherwise.

10. 5000 B.C.- 2500 B.C. 2500- 1480 B.C. 1480- 934 B.C. Emerging Assyria Expansion Through Military Tactics Assyrian military tactics were effective in building a foundation for an empire. It gave the Assyrians a basis to expand their empire in later times. As well as protect themselves while they were growing as a society. With the conflicts they faced during this period of time it was essential that the Assyrians had strong military tactics.

14. Expanding Assyria:650 B.C. to 612 B.C. Ancient Assyria was made up of strong governments which ruled their growing territory successfully for a long period of time. On the top is a map of the Assyrian empire at its greatest height, where it had taken over a large portion of what is today known as the Middle East. Ancient Assyria taxed people and had an efficient economic system. Although this empire was harsh, and killing was always a second resort, the empire prospered and became abundantly powerful.

17. The Decline of the Empire The Assyrians were able to create a mighty and extensive empire. Their accomplishments were mainly based upon their massive and powerful military. Although the Assyrians were able to successfully expand their empire, this was a major reason for their decline. The empire was vast, stretching across the Fertile Crescent, and Southwest Asia; but the extent of their expansion was a key factor in their downfall. The Assyrians over expanded and their control over their empire diminished. This extend of the empires expansion can be observed in the two maps on the right. As the Assyrians expanded, their conquests won them many enemies. This was a result of the Assyrians not being kind to the people they conquered. When they entered a new territory, they killed, enslaved, and sent its people into exile as they destroyed the cities. Due to their cruelty, the Assyrians were hated by the people they conquered. When their enemies united, they formed a powerful force that also aided in the decline and destruction of the great Assyrian empire. Beginning of the empire Fall of the empire

18. Nebuchadnezzar II Gains Power Once the Assyrians were defeated in the Battle of Carchemish, the Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar II took control. He made Babylon the new capital, giving it a renovation as he erected a new and extremely thick wall around the city and rebuilt temples and ziggurat. He ruled from 604 -562 B.C., during which time he embarked on several ambitious building projects. One of Nebuchadnezzar’s many great projects was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. This consisted of a man-made mountain covered with shrubs, trees, and flowering plants. Legends state that the gardens were built on terraces for the king’s wife, Amytis because she missed her luscious homeland. The gardens were considered to be so magnificent that Greek scholars added them to the list of the Seven Wonders of the World, but historians disagree on whether they existed . Another great accomplishment of Nebuchadnezzar was the completion of the Ishtar Gate. The Ishtar Gates were created in 575 B.C. and were made for the goddess Ishtar. In total, there were eight gates that led into the inner city and created from blue colored bricks with bulls and dragons on them. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon A recreation of the Ishtar Gate

19. The Collapse of the Empire Enraged by the Assyrians cruelty, the conquered territories of the empire began to revolt Enemies of the Assyrian Empire included: From the west: Phoencia and Palestine From the south: Babaylonia (Chaldeans ) From the east: Medes Many others also joined in the fight The Medes and Chaldeans decided to work together to bring down the Assyrian empire. They combined their military strength, and marched their armies to the capital at Nineveh. In 612 B.C., the armies burned down Nineveh and a new Babylonian king came to power, Nebuchadnezzar II. * The Egyptians were the only people that stayed loyal to the Assyrians, but their attempts to provide help failed.

28. The Assyrians did not have many natural resources available to them. Although there was fertile land in the Fertile Crescent, Assyrians lacked important resources, making foreign trade extremely important. Assyrians traded for metal, timber, and stone. Materials were brought along trading routes as seen in the map, via caravans. Assyrian merchants also transported goods along water routes with the help of ships. The ships set off on the Red and Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf. One of Assyria’s main trading partners was Anatolia in present day Turkey. A successful business relationship existed between the two places that remained for thousands of years. Over 10,000 clay tablets recording trade have been found In Turkey. Assyrian Trade

30. Bibliography Languages of the World. 16 November 2008. <http://www.nvtc.gov/lotw/months/ aigist/Aramaic.html >. Saggs, H.W.F. Everyday Life in Babylonia and Assyria. 18 November 2008. <http://www.aina.org/books/eliba/eliba.htm>. Aljeloo, Nicholas. Who Are The Assyrians? Sydney, Australia, 2000. 15 November 2008. <http://www.nestorian.org/who_are_the_assyrians.html>. Ancient Scripts.com . 17 November 2008. <http://www.ancientscripts.co/aramaic.html>. Fergusson, James. “The Palaces of Nineveh and Persepolis Restored.” (1851): 1-368. Google Book Search. London: John Murray, Albemarle Street. 20 November 2008. <http://books.google.com/books? hl=en&id=Us0TAAAAYAAJ&dq=ancient+assyria +architecture&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=wks2VLL35D&sig=CA3mo4ap0Ppmy_JiPnr30XLRayA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPR5,M1>. Figure 1: http://www.aina.org/aol/peter/brief.htm#History Figure 2: http://www.zindamagazine.com/html/archives/2002/10.21.02/assyrian_treasures.jpg Figure 3: http://k41.pbase.com/u34/katwilkens/upload/31322936.611pbase.jpg Figure 6: http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/images/9/90/Cunei.jpg Figure 7: http://www.zindamagazine.com/html/archives/2007/01.08.07/pix/Arbil%20Fortress.jpg Figure 8: http://worldheritage.heindorffhus.dk/iraq-HatraRuins-photo.jpg Figure 10: http://www.theeasterncompany.com/Iraq%20General%20Info_files/image008.jpg Figure 11: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/2379718712_c6fbb0e2f3.jpg?v=0 Figure 12: http://www.aina.org/aol/peter/brief.htm#History